Sheet metal press



March 15,1932. F. JQ RODE 1,849,691

SBEET METAL PRESS Filed March 17, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 15, 1932. J RQDE 1,849,691

SHEET METAL PRESS Filed March 17, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 15, 1932.

F. J. RODE SHEET METAL PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 17, 1930- March 15, 1932. F. J, OBE 1,849,691

SHEET METAL PRESS Filed March 17. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES FREDRICH J'. RODE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MARQUETTE TOOL & MFG. I

PATENT. OFFICE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS SHEET METAL PRESS Application filed March 17, 1930. Serial No. 436,374.

This invention relates to improvements in sheet metal presses of the type in which the metal is shaped by means of co-operating dies, one of which is reciprocable toward and away from the other, the work being clamped p or held by means of the blank or work holder element that co-operates with a reciprocable die member, the blank or work holder being resisted in its movement in one direction by a cushion, means being provided whereby the resistance pressure against which the work or blank holder is movable may be varied.

In some types of machine, such as what is known as double acting presses, means are also provided for controlling the return movement of the blank or work holder to prevent it from directly returning with the ram of the press or the reciprocable die member, when the latter starts to move away from the. work.

Heretofore, however, in order to accomplish these results it has been necessary to employ a plurality of valves and operating or controlling mechanism therefor, as well as provide considerable mechanism for accomplishing these results.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to simplify the construction of relief, check andoperating valves for hydropneumatic cushions of this character through the use of a single valve unit mechanism, thereby reducing the cost of installation and at the same time provide in a double acting press, when used in this type of press, a single valve which is so constructed and arranged as to obtain the proper opening of the relief valve when it is used as a relief valve, and also the proper timing when it is used as a check valve.

A further object is to provide an improved valve mechanism of this character which is readily convertible so as to be used either with a single action or a double action press.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in'substantiallythe construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation, artly broken away and partly in section of a double acting press constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and showing the parts in one position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view partly in elevation, partly in section and partly broken away of a portion of the press shown in Figure 1, with the parts in another position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a portion of a single acting press with the parts in one position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with the parts in another position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 10 designates generally the base of a press, 11 the uprights, 12 the bed of the press, 13 a bolster plate, 14 a die supported by the bolster plate, 15 a reciprocable die connected with a ram 16 that is reciprocable upon the uprights 11 through the medium of links 17 connected with the crank shaft 18.

A die 19 is connected by means of a connection 20 with a crank 21, motion being imparted to the ram and the die 19 by the rotation of the crank shafts from any suitable source of power, all of the above referred to parts being of the ordinary and well lmown construction.

Arranged beneath the bolster plate 13 and preferably constituting an integral part of the bed of the machine 10 is a cylinder 22 in which a piston 23 is reciprocable. The piston is provided with a piston rod 24 which projects through the end of the cylinder and a packing or stuifing box 25 is provided to form a fluid tight joint.

Arranged within the die member 14 is a die 26 which is supported by the piston 23 through the medium of one or more members 27 which may or may not be integral with either the piston or the die member 26.

The cylinder 22 is provided with an opening or conduit 28 communicating therewith which forms an inlet and an outlet for fluid into and out of the cylinder. The fluid in the present form of the invention is a liquid 29 which is supplied from a tank or container valve is preferably arranged within a casing.

33, which latter is provided with an opening 34 constituting a valve seat. The casing is also provided with an opening 35 so that the liquid can flow through the casing.

The valve is preferably of a diameter considerably less than the diameter of the casing 33 and a guide 36 having openings 37 therethrough is connected with the valve for guiding it in its movement.

Connected to the stem 38 of the valve is a piston 39 which is reciprocable in a cylinder 40.

A tank or container 41 is provided for holding a supply of fluid such as air for controlling the operation of the valve 32, but this supply may be furnished from any other suitable source.

To that end a pipe 42 having communication with the container 41 also has communication with the valve casing 43. Leading from the valve casing 43 is a pipe 44 which has communication with the cylinder 40 on one side of the piston 39. A second pipe 45 also leads from the valve casing 43 and has communication with the cylinder 40 on the other side of the piston 39.

Leading also from the valve casing 43 is a discharge outlet preferably com'municat ing with the atmosphere.

Within the valve casing 43 is a valve 47 having a handle 48.

The valve 47 is adapted to be operated so as to connect the cylinder 40 on either side of the piston 39 with the source of supply of fluid and at the same time permit the fluid on the other side of the piston to be exhausted.

Thus it will be seen that by operating the valve 47 the piston 32 may be controlled and when seated will beheld against its seat by the fluid pressureentering the cylinder 40 through the pipe 45. The degree of this pressure may be predetermined and when the valve is thus seated it will be manifest that when the piston 23 is lowered during the operation of the press partof the liquid from the tank 30 will be trapped in the cylinder 22 and a resistance pressure will be created in the cylinder, the resistance pressure being determined or controlled by the degree of pressure with which the valve 32 is held seated against the valve seat 34.

By varying the pressure which holds the valve against its seat it will be manifest that the resistance pressure in the cylinder 22 may be likewise varied.

Under these conditions the valve 32 will also act as a relief valve.

The valve 32 in this form of the invention is normally held open so that liquid from the tank 30 will be discharged into the cylinder 22 by the pressure of the air above the liquid in the tank 30. I When, however, the valve 32 is opened to permit the piston 23 to return to its normal position as shown in Figure 1, the suction created in the cylinder 22 by reason of the piston 23 will also operate as a means for assisting in drawing the liquid into the cylinder 22.

Immediately when the ram starts to descend or at the time when the die 15 co-operates with the die 14 to grip the work 49 therebetween, the valve 43 will be shifted so as to exhaust the fluid pressure through the pipe 44 and supply pressure through the pipe 45 to hold the valve 32 seated.

Upon the return movement of the ram 15 and at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the press the valve 47 is again operated so as to release the pressure upon the valve 32 to permit the latter to be opened by the pressure being exerted on the other side of the piston 39.

Any suitable means may be provided for operating the valve 47 such as a rod 50 connected by means of a link 51 with a crank 52 of the press. Carried by the rod 50 are spaced arms or fingers 5354 within the path of movement of which a projection 55 on the valve handle 48 stands to be alternately engaged by the fingers and correspondingly shifted.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5 the valve mechanism is shown in connection with a single acting press and in this instance the valve 56 corresponding with the valve 32 is hollow and is provided with an opening 57 therethrough having a valve seat 58 therearound. A valve 59 is arranged in the valve 56 and operates to close the opening 57. A spring 60 tends normally to close the valve 59 and the valve 59 operates in opposition to the valve 56 so that when the valve 56 is closed and the piston 23 is descending pressurein the cylinder 22 will seat the valve 59 and the valve 50 will be maintained seated by the pressure on one side of the piston 39 in the cylinder 40.

Upon the return movement of the piston 23 and while the valve 56 may be maintained seated, pressure of the liquid 29 from the tank 30 through the pipe 31 and conduit 28 will unseat the valve 59 against the stress of the spring 60 to permitthe fluid to enter the cylinder 22, thereby causing the valve 59 to operate as a check valve.

When, however, it is desired to use this form of valve, that is the valve 59 within the valve 56, for a double action press it'is only necessary to lock the valve 59 against movement with respect to the valve 56' toprevent the same from opening when the piston 23 ralses.

Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose, but a simple and eificient means consists of a pin or fastening device which is adapted to be inserted into an opening 61 in the stem 62 of the valve 59 when the stem is moved to a position that the opening 61 therein will register with the opening 63 in the valve 56, as shown in Figure 3. This will lock the valve 59 against movement so that the two valves 56-59 will then operate as a single valve.

With this invention it will be manifest that a device of this character may be readily installed at a material reduction in cost of manufacture over the structures now employed in which a plurality of valves with separate operating mechanisms therefor are used.

Furthermore, a single valve mechanism controls the pressure and admission and discharge of the fluid into and out of the cylinder. the valve mechanism operating as a control and relief valve in both forms of the invention, and in one of the forms of the invention in addition thereto operating as a check valve.

Furthermore, the valve construction in one of the forms of the invention is such that it may be readily converted for use in either a single or a double action press.

l/Vhile the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

lrVhat is claimed as new is 1. A press of the character described embodying a pressure pad, a cushion for resisting the movement of the pad in one direction, a conduit communicating with the cushion and forming an inlet and an outlet for the fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling the conduit, a cylinder and piston one of which is connected with the valve for movement therewith and the other of which is stationary, means for admitting fluid to one side of the piston for unseating the valve to open the conduit, and means for admitting fluid to the other side of the piston to close the {valve and cause the valve to operate as a variable resistance pressure creating valve and as a relief valve for the cushion.

2. A press of the character described embodying a pressure pad, a cushion for resisting the movement of the pad in one direction, a conduit communicating with the cus ion and forming an inlet and an outlet for the fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling the conduit, a cylinder and piston one of which is connected with the valve for movement therewith and the other of which is stationary, means for admitting fluid to one side of the piston for unseating the valve to open the conduit, and means foradmitting fluid to the other side of the piston to close the valve and cause the valve to operate as a variable resistance pressure creating valve and as a relief valve for the cushion, the first recited means embodying means for shifting the fluid pressure from one side to the other side of the said piston. 3. A press of the character described embodying a pressure pad, a cushion for resisting the movement of the pad in one direction, a conduit communicating with the cushion and forming an inlet and an outlet for the fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling the conduit, a cylinder and piston one of which is connected with the valve for movement therewith and the other of which is stationary, means for admitting fluid to one side of the piston for unseating the valve to open the conduit, means for admitting fluid to the other side of the piston to close the valve and cause the ,valve to operate as avariable resistance pressure creating valve and as a relief valve for the cushion, and means automatically controlled from a movable part of the press and operating to 100 shift the fluid pressure alternately from one side to the other side of the said piston.

4. In a press of the character described,

a pressure member, a cushion for resisting the movement of said member in one direc- 105 tion, a conduit communicating with the cushion and serving as an inlet and an outlet for fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling the conduit, fluid pres- 'sure means for controlling the valve, and

means for causing said fluid pressure to normally open said valve and for causing the fluid to close the valve and cause said valve to operate asa resistance pressure creating means for the fluid in the cushion.

5. In a press of the character described, a pressure member, a cushion for resisting the movement of said member in one direction, a conduit communicating with the cushion and serving as an inlet and an outlet for fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling the conduit, fluid pressure means for controlling the valve, and means for causing said fluid ressure to normally open said valve and or causing the fluid to close the valve and cause said valve to operate as a resistance pressure creating means for the fluid in the cushion, the last recited means being automatically actuated at predetermined times in the cycle of operation of the press.

" said valve, said check valve operating to permit fluid to enter the cushion through the first said valve and the conduit.

7. In a press of the character described a pressure member, a cushion for resisting the movement of the member in one direction, a

I conduit communicating with the cushion and serving as an inlet and an outlet for fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling said conduit, fluid pressure means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating as a controlling valve and a relief valve for establishing a resistance pressure in the cushion, a check valve within the first said valve movable therewith and with respect thereto, and means tending normally to close the said check valve with relation to the first said valve, said check valve operating to permit fluid to enter the cushion through the first said valve and the conduit.

8. In a press of the character described a pressure member, a cushion for resisting the movement of the member in one direction, a conduit communicating with the cushion and said conduit, fluid pressure means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating as a controlling valve and a relief valve for establishing a resistance pressure in the cushion, there being a passage through said valve in communication with said conduit, a check valve controlling said passage, said check valve being movable with and with respect to the first said valve and operating in opposition to the first said valve, means tending normally to close the check valve, and means for locking said check valve closed and against movement with respect to the first said valve.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 14th day of March, A. D. 1930.

F REDRICH J. RODE.

serving as an inlet and an outlet for fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling said conduit, fluid pressure means for opening and closing said valve, said Valve operating as a controlling valve and a relief valve for establishing a resistance pressure in the cushion, a check valve within the first said valve, said check valve operating to permit fluid to enter the cushion through the first said valve and the conduit, and means for locking'said check valve closed and against movement with respect to the first said valve.

9. In a press of the character described a pressure member, a cushion for resisting the movement of the member in one direction, a conduit communicating with the cushion and serving as an inlet and an outlet for fluid into and out of the cushion, a valve for controlling said conduit, fluid pressure means for opening and closing said valve, said valve operating as a controlling valve and a relief valve for establishing a resistance pressure in the cushion, there being a passage through said valve in communication with said conduit, a check valve controlling said passage, said check valve being movable with and with respect to the first said valve and operating in opposition to the first said valve, and means tending normally to close the check valve.

10. In a press of the character described a 

